Fire extinguishing sprinkler valve



Patented Mar. 7, 1933 easier.

ALFRED E. BOARDMAN, OE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON FIRE nx'rineursninesrtalnxnnn VALVE.

Application filed. May 1, 1929. Serial No. 359,501.

This invention relates to Water flow controlling devices for fireprotection sprinkler systems.

The object of my invention, generally stated, is the improvement ofapparatus of this character to render the same more efficient and extendits usefulness.

Another object is to provide fire protection apparatus which is adaptedtobe regulated for operating, interchangeably, either as an automaticdry pipe valve at a low air pressure, or as a variable pressure alarmvalve.

For operating the present invention as an automatic dry pipe valve, Tutilize, in a pressure chamber, the primary water pressure existing inthe supply main to keep the valve closed against the delivery of waterinto the sprinkler piping, instead oi? utilizing the medium of adifferential valve wherein the system air pressure directly holds thewater pressure in check.

In association with such pressure chamber is an actuating, or releasing,device whereby a low pressure of air in the pipe system is employed inopposition to a pressure-regulated diaphragm, or an equivalent, toreleasably maintain a small actuating valve closed in opposition to theefiective pressure of water confined within the pressure chamber, therelease oi: such trapped pressure occurring with a reduction in thesystem air pressure due to the opening of a sprinkler head or otherwise;such release of the trapped pres sure permitting the primary waterpressure to open the valve and pass into the sprinkler pipes. Waterbeing practically incompressible, the sudden release of a small quantityof the water under pressure in the pressure chamber, will relieve thepressure trapped therein and permit the direct pressure from the main toopen the valve.

For operating the invention asa dry pipe system, two spaced-apart valvesof the clapper type are used to provide a pressure chamber therebetween,and the apparatus is changed to operate as a wet alarm system, byrendering the actuating and releasing valves inoperable, and removingone of the clapper valves.

It'is believed that the principle involved in this invention of trappingmain water pressure in regulating devices to hold main water pressure incheck and the means for automatically releasing the water pressure thustrapped as Well as the accomplishment of these results by theutilization of extremely low air pressure, are new in fire protectionsprinkler practice, as is also the means for adapting a dry pipe valveto serve as a wet alarm valve, and vice versa.

In my invention the admission of water to the pipe system is preventedsolely by the trapping of the primary or supply-main pressure in apressure chamber thus producing a balance of pressure which holds thepri mary pressurein check; The only need or function of air pressure inthe pipe system is to operate an actuating or releasing device,

the function ofwhich is to destroy the balance of water pressure in thepressure chain-- her or trap and thus permit the main water supply toopen the valve. The amount of air pressure required for this function isvery small.

The invention consists in the novel construction, adaptationand'combination of devices, hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying 'drawing,

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of a sprinkler pipe andvalve assembly embodying my invention, as adapted for use as a dry-pipealarm valve systemgand Fig. 2 is a similar View with the parts arrangedto serve as a variable pressure or wet alarm valve.

Referring now to the dry-pipe system, shown in Fig. 1, the numeral 5represents a casing constituting a part of a pipe line, or

main, having aligned passages, 6 and 7 communicating with anintermediary positioned water-containing pressure chamber, or trap 8which, as shown, is disposed in laterally ofi'set relation with respectto said passages 9 and 10 represent valves, preferably of the clappertype, arranged substantially as shown, to close against seats 11 and 12provided therefor about the ends of said passages.

Said valves are adjustably connected by means of couplings 13 to abifurcated arm 14 which is pivotally connected, as by a pin 15, to thepipe line structure, permitting the valves to be swung, as indicated bydotted lines 9 and 10 away from their seats to afford an unobstructeddirect flow of water through the chamber 8 and both of said passages 6and 7.

As shown, the clapper valve 10 carries a gasket, or sec ling ring 16,for making a water-tight closure about its periphery when the valve isin the closed position in which it is represented by full lines inFig. 1. v The seat for the valve 9 includes a groove 17 providing agutter to carry away leakage at the seat, and towhich a water motoralarm gong and circuit closer (of known construction, but not shown)connections may be made.

18 represents small perforations provided in the valve 9 for equalizingthe pressure of water at opposite sides thereof-that is to say, withrespect to the water supply passage 6 and the trap 8. v

For convenience in manufacture, and for the purposes of cleaning,adjusting and resetting, the apparatus, the outer wall 19 of the trap 8is removable and is advantageously provided with a protuberance 20 whichis engageable by the valve-carrying arm 1& to 11mit the opening movementof the valves. 21 represents a priming valve for releasing air from thepassage 6 and from the trap 8 and admitting water thereinto as from acharging funnel 22 when regulating the apparatus for operation. p

Water may also be supplied to fill said passage and the trap through avalved by-passage 23 extending from the trap 8 to theplpe line 24 at theopposite side of the mam or shut-ofi valve 25.

The space 26 between the clapper valves 9 and 10 is connected to an endof a pipe 27 provided with a shut-off valve 28, the other end of thepipe 27 terminating in an orlfice 29 constituting the seat for a reliefvalve 30, preferably of the ball type, carried by a stem 31 which isconnected to a diaphragm 32 adapted to normally retain the relief valvein position to close said orifice.

The space 33 above the diaphragm 32 is connected by means of a pipe 3 1with the passage 7. 35 represents a valve for regulating andshutting-01f the connection between said diaphragm and the passage 7.

36 is a test and drain valve to remove condensation or leakage which mayaccumulate in passage 7. 37 is a ball-check valve to carry away leakagepast ball valve 30 and permit atmospheric pressure inside casing 38until valve 30 opens when water flowing under pressure will closeball-check 37.

39 represents a drain pipe provided with a shut-oif valve 39 whereby thewater may be withdrawn from the system above the valve 25. 40 is a pipeconnecting groove 17 to an alarm gong and circuit closer (of knownconstruction, but not shown).

40 is a valve which may be closed to permit inspection test of saidalarm devices by opening valve 41 in pipe 41, which is connected to mainwater supply below valve 25.

23 represents a valve provided for the pipe 23 to regulate the action ofthe latter.

While not shown, the present construction is interconnected in anysuitable manner to have the passage 7 communicatively arranged, as bycoupling the flange extremity, to the main or supply pipe of aconventional sprinkler system, by-pass outlets from which are normallysealed through any suitable mediuin, such as temperature controlledfusiblelink sprinklers.

v The above described dry pipe valve system, illustrated in Fig. 1, isset as follows:

First close valves 25 and 23 open valve 39 to drain the pipe systemabove the valve 25, then close the valves 39, 28 and 35.

The back wall 19 of the pressure chamber 8 is then removed for cleaningand seating the clapper valves 9 and 10, and the wall 19 returned andsecured in place so that when pressure is applied in chamber 8 theclapper 10 will be firmly held against its seat 12 and cause the clapper9 to be held against the seat 11 through the instrumentality of the arm14.

The valve 21 is now opened and the spaces within the chambers 6 and 8filled with water either through the funnel 22 or by opening the valve23 from said chambers and the same are filled with water, the valve 21is closed and the main water pressure is supplied to said chambers byopening the valve 23 is now opened to test for leakage beyond theclapper l0 and to withdraw any water which may have remained thereabovein the pipe system. After closing the valve 36, air to a pressure ofapproximately ten pounds above that of the atmosphere is pumped into thesystem above the clapper 10, whereupon the valve 35 is opened foradmitting air at such pressure against the diaphragm 32 to close theball valve 30. After which, the valve 28 is opened to admit waterpressure to the ball valve 30, the valve 25 opened and the valve 23closed.

WVith the parts thus regulated, pressure is equalized between passage 6and chamber 8 by communication provided through the perforations 18 ofthe clapper 9.

The valve system as a whole is thus set ready to operate upon release ofair pressure with respect to the diaphragm 32 responsive to theopeningof a sprinkler head.

More particularly, the opening of a sprinklerhead,normally arranged toact responsive to temperature rise serves to reduce air pressure in thepassage and that acting against the-diaphragm '32, whereupon thepressure in When the air has escaped The valve 36 chamber 8 actingthrough space 26 and pipe 27 causes the ball valve 30 to raise andthereby Igelease main water pressure within the cham- The main waterpressure in the passage -6 thereupon acts against the clapper 9 to swingclappers 9 and 10 into their open positions and thus provide a straightunobstructed water outlet through passages 6 and 7. When the clappervalves are brought to their open positions, the arm 14 engages againstthe casing wall, the clappers remaining in their dotted line positions 9and 10 until the valve is reset.

The above described apparatus is readily converted from a dry system(Fig. 1) to a wet alarm valve system which is represented in Fig. 2.

To which end, one of the clappers, as 10, is omitted-and the remainingclapper, denoted by 9 in Fig. 2, is desirably provided with a rubberseating ring 91. The modified form desirably includes a. weight 50attached to the arm ltto counter balance the weight of the arm, andcoact with a stop pin 51 to yieldably retain the arm 14: and the clapper9 in positions approximately as represented in Fig. 2 while water isflowing. When the flow ceases clapper 9 falls into closed position.

The apparatus is regulated to be used as a wet alarm valve as follows:

First, drain the system through the valve 39 while valves 25, 23 28,41and 35 are closed. Water is now admitted into the system through themain valve 25 until the system is full, when valve 9 will fall intoclosed position. Then open valve 40 to water motor alarm (not shown) andthe apparatus is ready for operation.

The operation of a sprinkler head permits a flow of water to actuate thevalve mechanism, causing the clapper 9 to be unseated, whereupon a flowof water occurs through channel 17 and pipe 40 to operate the alarmgong.

In practice, a ball-check valve (not shown) is attached to pipe 40 tocarry away possible leakage past valve seat 11 while clapper 9 is inclosed position and atmospheric pressure exists in groove 17.

Flow of water under pressure through pipe 40 closes said ball drip valve(not shown) and passes on to operate said alarm devices (not shown). v

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that the present inventionprovides devices which afford both wet and dry types of sprinklersystems and may be used selectively as either-as a wet pipe system undermoderate temperatures and as a dry pipe system for use, more especially,with sprinkler piping which is exposed to freezing weather, inrefrigerating installations, and the like. 7

While I have illustrated and explained the embodiment of the inventionnow preferred by me I do not wish to limit myself specifical- 1ythereto, as changes may be made in the I details of its construction andoperation with out departing from the spirit of the. invention andsacrificing its advantages.

What I claim, is,

, 1. In an automatic valve for a dry-pipe fire extinguishing system, avalve casing provid ing a water containing chamber therein and a pair ofaligned passages leading toand from said chamber, the passage to saidchamberbeing adapted for connection with the pressure pipe from a watermain, the passage from said chamber being adapted for connection with adry-pipe under air pressure to sprinkler heads acting responsive to fireconditions, an armpivotally supported in said chamber, a pair of clappervalves carried by said arm for simultaneous seating engagement over theopenings between the chamher and the respective passages,said valvesseating against the pressure in the water main and the dry-pipe,respectively, means to normally maintain an equalization of the waterpressure in sald chamber and the water mainfor maintaining said valvesin seated dispositions, and means acting responsive to a drop ofpressure in the dry-pipe byreason of the opening-of a sprinklerhead forreducing the pressure in said chamberto allow the pressure in the watermain to unseat both of said valves.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said last named means comprisinga diaphragm under pressure of the air in the dry pipe, an outlet fromthe chamber, and a ball valve supported by said diaphragm for normallyclosing said outlet.

3. In'an automatic valve for a dry-pipe fire extinguishing system, avalve casing providing a chamber adapted to contain water and passagesleading to and from said chamher, the passage to said chamber beingadapted for connection with the pressure pipe from a water main, thepassage from said chamber inlet from said water main and the outlet tothe dr i e res ectivel and a ainst the a .17 :3

pressure in the respective 1nstances, means for maintaining a normalpressure equalization between the water in said chamber and that of thesupply main to maintain said valves in seated dispositions and meansresponsive'to a drop in the air pressure of the dry-pipe for relievingthe water pressure in the chamber, the resulting assertion ofthe lOOrelatively greater pressure of the water in Vidi'ng a chamber" adaptedtocontain water,

. from the chamber with the inlet being adapted for connection with thepressure pipe from a water main for supplying said water to the chamberand the outlet being adapted for connection with the supply pipe of adry-pipe system, said supply pipe being of a' character containing airunder'pressure and carrying sprinkler heads adapted to open responsiveto the conditions, valves or" a swing-check character normallymaintained in seating engagement by the water in said chamber over saidinlet and outlet openings, means for maintaining a normal pressureequalization between the water in said chamber and that of the supplypipe to'maintain said valves in seated dispositions, and means acting asa result of a drop in the air pressure of said dry-pipe for releasingthe water in said chamber to allow said valves to open under thepressure or" the water from the main on said inlet valve; a

5. An automatic valver'for fire extingushing apparatus comprising twopassages adapted for connection with the pressure main of a water supplyand a dry-pipe containing air under pressure and leading to thesprinkler-heads of a sprinkler system, respectively, a pressure-chamberadapted to contain water under pressure located between and incommunication with said passages, a valve arranged for seatingengagement over the communicating entry from the water supply passage tothe chamber, a valve arranged for seating engagement over thecommunicating outlet from said chamber to the dry-pipe of the system,said valves seating against the pressure of the water main and thedry-pipe, respectively, means for maintaining a normal pressureequalization between the water 1n said chamber and that of the supplypipe to maintain said valves in seated dispositions, and means acting asa result of a drop in the air pressure of the dry-pipe affording adislodgment of both of said valves'from their seats, said first namedvalve being dislodged directively of the course of the water passlngthrough saidpassages.

6. The combination of valve device for use in either a dry-pipe or awet-pipe sprinkler system characterized by the provision of a chamberadapted to contain water under pressure, said chamber having alignedpassages leading to and from the same, and an arm pivotally mounted insaid chamber provided with a valve having ports therethrough andarranged for seatin engagement with the inlet to the chamber, said armfurther provided with means by which another valve may be so attached tosaid arm that it will be engaged with the outlet from said chamher whenthe first mentioned valve is seated and the device is used in a dry-pipesystem or to which a weight may be attached to aid in holding the firstmentioned valve on its seat the swing-check character arranged forseating engagement with the inlet to the chamher, said device havingmeans for normally equalizing the pressure in said chamber and thesupply main for both of said systems, said member further provided withmeans by which ano her valve also of the swingcheck character may be soattached thereto that itwill be engaged with the outlet from saidchamber when the first mentioned valve is seated and the device is usedin a dry-pipe system, said latter valve being removable in adapt ng saiddevice with the first mentioned valve only to a wet-pipe system.

8. The combination of a valve device for use in either a dry-pipe orwet-pipe spriir kler system characterized by the provision of chamberadapted to contain water under pressure and having passages leading toand from the same, and an arm supported in said chamber provided with avalve arranged for seating engagement with the inlet to the chamber foreither a dry-pipe or a wet-pipe system, said arm further provided withmeans by which another valve may be so attached to said arm that it willbe engaged with the outlet from said chamber when the first mentionedvalve is seated and the device is used in a drypipe system.

9. The combination of a valve device for use in either a dry-pipe or awet-pipe sprinkler system characterized by the provision of a chamberadapted to contain water un der pressure and having a passage leading tothe same adapted for connection with the pressure supply of a water mainand a passage from the same adapted for connection with the dischargepipe of the system, said pressure in the chamber being normallyequalized with respect to the pressure of the tioned valve is seated andthe device is used in a drv-pipe svstem.

10. An automatic valve for fire extinguishing apparatus comprising acasing llttVllW a chamber adapted to contain water un er pressureand'inlet and outlet openings to and from the same, said inlet beingadapted for connection with a water supply under pressure, said outletbeing adapted for connection with a sprinkler system, valves normallyseating over both of said openings, said inlet valve being of aswing-check characterv sup,- ported to open directively of the course ofthe water, means to normally maintain an equalization of the pressuresin said water supply and chamber, and means serving toafliord areduction in the pressure of said chamber below that of the water supplyresponsive to fire conditions in the vicinity of the sprinkler system,the resulting assertion of the relatively greater pressure in the watersupply opening both of said Valves for supplying water to the system.

11. In an automatic valve for a fire extinquishing system, said systemincluding a pressure pipe from a water main and a drypipe under airpressure to sprinkler heads, said heads opening responsive to fireconditions, a valve casing providing a chamber adapted to contain waterunder pressure, passages in said casing respectively adapted to supplywater to said chamber from the water main pressure pipe and from saidchamber to the dry-pipe, means for maintaining a normal pressureequalization between the water in said chamber and that of the pressurepipe from the water main, a valve seat between said chamber and thedry-pipe, a pivotally mounted arm, a valve pivotally supported on saidarm for seating engagement to said valve seat and normally servingthrough the pressure thereon from the water in said chamber to seal saiddry-pipe with respect to the water in said chamber, means operativeresponsive to a drop in the air pressure of the dry-pipe as a result ofthe opening of a sprinkler head to efiect a drop in the water pressureof the chamber below that of the pressure pipe from the water main, andmeans acting under the influence of the greater water pressure in saidpressure pipe as a result of said drop in the chamber water pressure forunseating said valve to allow a flow of the water to said dry-pipe.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 10th day of April 1929.

ALFRED E. BOARDMAN.

